Counterflashing



Feb. 22, 1955 H. A. DALLEY 2,702,514

COUNTERFLASHING I Filed Feb. 14, 1951 his ArraeA/srs 654 905 Maw, ESE/ 24 APR/5 8 a f k United States Patent COUNTERFLASHING Henry A. Dalley, Compton, Calif., assignor of one-half to William W. Miller, Pasadena, Calif.

Application February 14, 1951, Serial No. 210,868

2 Claims. (Cl. 10826) This invention relates generally to roofflashings and in particular to an improved counterfiashing assembly for securing roofing adjacent the inner walls of a parapet, in order to exclude moisture at the joints between the roof and parapet.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a counterfiashing assembly, which includes a counterfiashing strip and reglet adapted for the installation of the counterfiashing strip in, and its removal from, the reglet quickly and easily without the use of any special tools and without permanent deformation of the reglet or removal of any other elements of the counterfiashing assembly. The term reglet is used herein in its common usage in the flashing art to denote an elongated receptacle adapted to be anchored in a vertical wall during'the erection thereof and to provide a retainer for a counterfiashing strip associated therewith.

A further object is to provide a counterfiashing assembly which is simple and inexpensive and yet exceedingly effective in providing a rigid leakproof protective cover for upturned roofing such as is customarily found between the roof deck and surrounding parapet or wall.

An additional object is to provide a counterfiashing assembly which comprises a reglet, retaining clips, and a counterfiashing strip, the reglet and clips securely retaining the counterfiashing strip when the latter is mounted in assembled position, so that the counterfiashing will not loosen relative to the reglet during usage thereof, the counterfiashing strip nevertheless being easily removed from engagement with the reglet or reassemled therewith, as desired, without disturbance of the clips.

A further object is the provision of a counterfiashing assembly of the aforementioned character in which the retaining clips are each formed with a curved spring portion securing the counterfiashing within the reglet and facilitating the insertion and removal of the counterfiashing strip, and in which such clips also are formed with guide portions extending without the reglet to assist in such assembly or disassembly.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a roof deck and a parapet of a wall showing the counterfiashing assembly of my invention in assembled position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a reglet, retaining clip, and counterfiashing strip of the counterfiashing assembly, said members being shown in disassembled relationship; and

Fig. 3 is a-vertical cross-sectional view of the parapet showing an alternative embodiment of the counterfiashing assembly of my invention in assembled position.

Referring to the drawing and at present to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the reference character 11 designates a parapet surrounding a roof deck 12 which is covered with a flexible roofing material 13, the latter being turned up to cover the joint 14 between the roof deck 12 and an inner wall 15 of the parapet 11 and being extended above the joint 21 short distance on the wall 15 as a flashing 16.

The above construction is, of course, conventional, the present invention relating to the counterfiashing assembly designated generally at and comprising a reglet or retainer 21, retaining or securing clips 22, only one of which is shown, and a counterfiashing strip 23.

2,702,514 Patented Feb. 22, 1955 The reglet 21 comprises a strip of metal which is bent upon itself longitudinally as indicated at 26 to provide a pair of diverging legs 27 and 28. At their juncture the twe legs are pressed into parallel positions to define a fin 31 which is bent upwardly to resist removal from the parapet 11 when embedded therein. The legs 27 and 28 also resist removal from the parapet when installed therein and with the fin 31 comprise an anchoring means 29 for the reglet 21. The leg 27 has an exposed portion 32 which projects inwardly and slightly downwardly from the inner parapet wall 15. The end 34 of the exposed portion 32 of the leg 27 is bent downwardly at 33 substantially parallel with the parapet wall 15. The leg 28 is bent downwardly at 35 to form a depending portion 36 which contacts the inner parapet wall 15. The end portion 37 of the leg 28 is bent upwardly and inwardly at 38, forming an acute angle with the depending portion 36. End 34 and depending portion 36 will hereinafter be referred to as the inner and outer walls of the reglet, respectively, the terms outer and inner being used in reference to the building.

As is shown in the drawing, Figs. 1 and 2, the legs 27 and 28 are thus shaped to provide the anchoring means 29 and a receiver 39 of substantially rectangular cross section, defined by walls which comprise the depending portion 36 and the end portion 37 of the leg 28 and the pro ecting portion 32 and the end 34 of the leg 27.

The retaining or securing clip 22 of the counterfiashing assembly of my invention comprises a strip of metal having resilient characteristics which is looped at one end to form a curved or generally cylindrical spring portion 41, WhlCl'l, when compressed within the receiver 39 of the reglet, seats on and is retained by the end of the end portion 37 of the leg 28 of the reglet and provides an arcuate bearing surface 42 for the counterfiashing strip 23. A tail portion 43 of the clip projects downwardly from the reglet 21, and serves as a guide means for the assembly or disassembly of the counterfiashing strip 23.

The counterfiashing strip 23, which is preferably fabricated of sheet metal, is provided with a curved upper port1on 45 and a downwardly and outwardly inclined plate portion 46, adapted to overlie the upturned end of the roofing 13. The plate portion 46 is bent at its lower end to provide an outwardly inclined marginal flange 47 which bears against the upturned portion of the roofing 13.

The reglet 21 is embedded in the parapet during the construction of the latter. The flexible roofing material 13 is laid with its end portion extending upwardly against the inner parapet wall 15 and is adhesively secured thereto. The retaining clips 22 are inserted in the reglet at spaced intervals along the length thereof. Each clip is installed by pressing thecylindrical spring portion 41 of the clip 22 into the receiver 39, such pressure causing the cylindrical spring portion 41 of the clip to contract to a smaller diameter during the installing process. The tail portion 43 of the installed clip 22 extends substantially vertically from the lower side of the reglet 21. In such position the spring portion 41 of the clip is maintained under compression within the receiver 39, seating on the end portion 37 of the leg 28 and bearing against the end 34 of the leg 27.

Assembly of the counterfiashing strip 23 within the reglet 21 is accomplished by sliding the curved upper portion 45 of the strip 23 upwardly along the tail portions 43 of the clips to guide the strip to a position between the clips and end 34 of the leg 27. An upward force is then exerted on the strip 23 causing it to snap into the interengaging position shown in Fig. l, with the arcuate bearing surface 42 of the spring compressing the curved upper portion 45 of the strip 23 against the end 34 and exposed portion 32 of the leg 27. So installed, the plate portion 46 of the counterfiashing strip 23 is positioned to overlie the upturned portion of the roofing 16 with the marginal flange 47 of the strip 23 resiliently engaging the roofing. In this position the strip is securely retained relative to the reglet and will not loosen during usage.

In order to remove the counterfiashing strip it is only necessary to exert a downward and outward pull thereon,

arcane whereupon the curved upper portion 45 of the strip is slidingly disengaged from retention between the spring portion 41 of the clip and end 34 of the reglet, thus releasing the strip without the necessity of removing any of the clips 22 from the reglet 21. The counterflashing strip 23 may then be readily reassembled with the reglet 21 as heretofore described.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3 the reglet 50, which is substantially frustoconical in cross section, is embedded in the inner wall of the parapet. The reglet comprises a middle portion 51 and upper and lower converging legs 52 and 53. The ends of the legs 52 and 53 are bent outwardly to positions substantially parallel to the middle portion 51 and provide flanges 54. The reglet 50 thus provides a receiver 39 defined by the walls which comprise the middle portion 51 and legs 52 and 53, open at the inner side thereof.

The retaining clips 22', only one of which is shown, are substantially similar in form to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and heretofore described in detail, each having a spring portion 41', an arcuate bearing surface 42 and a tail portion 43. The counterflashing strip 23 is provided with a downwardly extending plate portion 46' adapted to overlie the upturned end of the roofing 13 and an upper portion 45 which is bent outwardly at 55 to form an outwardly extending straight section 56 terminating in a modified V-section 57. The plate portion 46' is bent at its lower end to provide a marginal flange 47' which bears against the upturned portion of the roofing 13.

The upper portion 45' of the strip 23 is releasably retained in position between the arcuate bearing surface 42 of the spring portion 41 of the clip and the upper leg 52 of the reglet 50. The strip 23 is removed from the interengaged position shown in the drawing by a downward and inward pull thereon, which compresses the eylindrical spring portion 41 of the clip and permits the sliding disengagement of the strip without disturbing the position of the clip within the reglet 50.

While I have herein shown and described my improved counterflashing as embodied in two preferred forms of construction, by way of example, it will be apparent that the structure may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, I do not wish to be limited in this respect but desire to be afforded the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a counterflashing assembly adapted for use with a substantially vertical wall member, the combination of: an elongate reglet strip having an anchoring means for securement to said Wall member, said reglet strip providing a downwardly opening receiver defined by upper and inner and outer walls, said inner wall extending downwardly from a side section of said anchoring means, said upper wall extending generally outwardly and down wardly from said side section of said anchoring means, said outer wall extending downwardly from said upper wall in spaced relation with said inner wall; a lip formed on the lower end of said inner wall extending inwardly and upwardly of said receiver defining an opening having a first dimensional width intermediate the free edge of said lip and said outer wall; a counterflashing strip comprising an upper portion and an extended lower portion, said upper portion being characterized by a curved portion. presenting an arcuate length thereof receivable in said receiver and engaging said outer wall of said reglet strip; and a retaining clip having a generally cylindrical spring portion defining an arcuate bearing surface and a contiguous substantially straight tail portion, said spring portion being compressible for entrance past said first dimensional width and into said receiver and expansible to be retainable in said receiver in contact with the free end of said lip, said inner wall, said upper wall and said outer wall when said counterflashing strip is out of said receiver, and said clip being expansible and retainable in said receiver in contact with the free end of said lip, said inner wall, and said upper wall and with its arcuate bearing surface in contact with said arcuate length of said counterflashing strip when the upper portion of said last-mentioned strip is disposed Within said receiver, whereby the upper portion of said counterflashing strip is releasably retained in said receiver intermediate said clip and said outer wall, said counterflashing strip being removable downwardly of said receiver accommodated by compression of said clip spring portion without removal of said clip from said receiver.

2. In a counterflashing assembly adapted for use with a substantially vertical wall member, the combination of: an elongate reglet strip having an anchoring means for securement to said wall member, said reglet strip providing a downwardly opening receiver defined by upper and inner and outer Walls, said inner wall extending downwardly from a side section of said anchoring means, said upper wall extending generally outwardly and downwardly from said side section of said anchoring means, said outer wall extending downwardly from said upper wall in spaced relation with said inner wall; a lip formed on the lower end of said inner wall extending inwardly and upwardly of said receiver defining an opening intermediate the free edge of said lip and said outer wall; a retaining clip having a generally cylindrical spring portion defining an arcuate bearing surface and a contiguous substantially straight tail portion, said clip being receivable into and retained in said receiver under compression of said spring portion and in contact with the :free edge of said lip, said inner wall, said upper wall and said outer wall, the tail portion of said clip extending below the free end of said outer wall of said receiver; and a counterflashing strip comprising an extended lower portion and an upper portion, said upper portion being characterized by a curved portion presenting an arcuate length having a curvature portion substantially commensurate with a portion of said arcuate bearing surface of said retaining clip, the upper portion of said counterflashing strip being receivable intermediate said clip and said outer wall upon compression of said cylindrical spring portion when said counterflashing strip is upwardly urged into said receiver, said upper portion being firmly retained by abutment of its said curvature portion with said arcuate bearing surface of said clip and by engagement of its said arcuate length with said outer wall of said receiver, whereby said counterflashing strip is insertable into and releasable from said receiver without removal of said clip from said receiver.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,177,916 Alexander et al. Apr. 4, 1916 1,924,008 Weil Aug. 22, 1933 2,168,204 Hanson Aug. 1, 1939 2,255,279 Callaway Sept. 9, 1941 2,405,202 Fry Aug 6, 1946 2,453,343 Reilly Nov 9, 1948 

